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Dear Families and Staff,
I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving and is looking forward to the winter holidays. While the holidays may look different this year, I hope everyone has had the chance to relax and connect with loved ones. The School Board knows that the last few weeks have been disappointing for many students and families who expected to return to the classrooms. We realize that many people are worried about their children’s well-being while attending school virtually and may be struggling while having to return to work themselves.
FCPS now has more clarity on how the Superintendent is utilizing metrics to make decisions on when we can safely bring more students back to the classroom. These metrics call for a stable environment of 7 days with less than 8 % positivity on testing in the community and less than 200 new cases per day/per 100,000 population. The dialing back metric is for the metrics not to exceed the positivity and case rates on an average of 7 days. We know that the school systems that have opened have done so with clearly identified metrics and adherence to mitigation procedures. I have advocated for this so that we can have students safely back in classrooms and will continue to do so.
FCPS is currently drafting a new policy surrounding restraint and seclusion. This is an important issue in our community as the physical and emotional safety of FCPS students is of paramount importance. FCPS is committed to implementing positive behavioral interventions and support strategies to reduce and prevent the need for the use of seclusion and physical restraint and phase out the use of seclusion by 2023. School-based and central office administration will review physical restraint data quarterly to ensure compliance with FCPS policies and procedures. A public hearing is scheduled for this Friday evening. The draft policy can be viewed here. To reserve a space on the speaker list you can sign up online or call the School Board Office at 571-423-1075 during normal business hours [8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.] The School Board will vote to approve a policy at its Thursday, December 17th public Regular Meeting.
Following the cybersecurity incident involving a ransomware attack in September, FCPS has implemented several cybersecurity-related enhancements and is continuing to evaluate how to best address cyber threats which are increasingly impacting business and government entities. We know that amidst the stress virtual learning has caused families, teachers and staff, cybersecurity is the last thing you want to worry about. FCPS is allowing anyone who believes they may have been affected a free security check on their credit and personal information.
As we approach the end of an unpredictable and challenging year, I want to thank you for your patience and continued support for FCPS.
Karen
TJ Admissions
The Board is required to address the admissions process to the Governor’s School because of language attached to the budget adopted by the state legislature requiring the board to provide a diversity plan to the state. The Board will vote on the changes to admissions policy on December 17th.
Calendar Changes
The Fairfax County School Board has voted to make Inauguration Day–Wednesday, January 20, 2021–a holiday for FCPS students and employees, and Juneteenth–June 19, 2021–a holiday for employees that will be observed on Friday, June 18, 2021. Read the news release.
FCPS Student Athletes Return to VHSL Competition
Based on the data and experiences with student athletes who have been conditioning successfully since summer, FCPS is progressing with the return of participation in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) athletic season. To be specific, students have been engaging in workouts and sports-related activities since July 2020 with less than .2 percent of students having been exposed to COVID-19. Of those cases, none were transmissions from school-related workouts. Offering tryouts and practices for our student athletes are the next steps in starting winter sports.
FCPS continues to work closely with VHSL at the state level to ensure the health and safety of our student athletes and coaches are in compliance with federal, state, and local health guidelines. Schools have been provided with detailed protocols to adhere to from VHSL’s guidelines for returning to play. FCPS is following both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guidelines for health mitigation and masks. The current guidelines for masks from the VHSL are that athletes will wear masks while participating in practice, except for when they are engaged in high physical exertion activities and direct competition. FCPS will continue to monitor health metrics daily and will adapt to any new CDC or VHSL guidelines as required.
Practice for basketball began on December 7 and is planned for December 14 for all other winter sports.
Safety Teams Deployed to Monitor COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies at FCPS Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools has implemented new Safety Teams to help the school district monitor each schools’ adherence to five mitigation strategies for COVID-19. These teams, consisting of FCPS staff members and retirees, will conduct random onsite spot checks, deliver education and resources, and report data back to administrators.
The five mitigation strategies are set forth in the Centers for Disease Control’s Indicators for Dynamic School Decision-making guide, and include proper use of masks or face coverings; social distancing; hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette; cleaning and disinfection; and contact tracing in collaboration with the health department.
More information on FCPS Safety Teams is available online.
South County Middle School PTSO Dining for Dollars fundraiser
WHAT: A Great-Tasting Fundraising Event!
WHEN: December 12, 2020 – December 19, 2020
WHERE: Glory Days Grill in Lorton
WHY: When you dine at a Glory Days Grill on your designated nights, we will contribute 10% of the food and beverages purchased to the South County Middle School PTSO. Bring your friends, family and neighbors! Simply ask your server for the itemized copy of your guest check (not the card receipt). Please hang onto your receipt and the PTSO will be in touch on how to retrieve the receipts.
Questions? Call Amy Griffith: 703-965-1845
 Fairfax County Public Library Checkout Now Available to All Students
All FCPS students (preK-12) are able to check out materials from the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), even if they don’t have a traditional library card or a card has been blocked due to fines.
Under the Library Equity Access Pass program (LEAP), a partnership with FCPS and FCPL, students need only their name, not a physical library card, to check out three items at a time for six weeks each (no renewals). LEAP accounts are never charged fines or fees.
A student can have a LEAP account in addition to a standard library account. Standard accounts allow users to place holds on materials and access FCPL’s digital resources, such as eBooks and databases.
Families can apply for a standard account online and in library branches.
Programs Offer Support for Parents, Students During COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fairfax County government’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is offering two programs to support parents, guardians, and students in distance learning.
Parent Connect provides in-person services for parents and guardians at NCS Community Centers and other community locations. Assistance includes support related to digital literacy and Internet access; support related to language barriers; and connection to county Health and Human Services resources, service navigation and referrals. These services are offered by appointment only Monday through Friday, 3-8 p.m., though times may vary by location.
NCS Connects: After School is a virtual platform providing programming for youth and teens Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. Virtual programs include academics (i.e., STEAM), family engagement, service learning, and youth leadership development.
More information is available online.
Technology Support
If your child’s computer is running slow or having connectivity issues, please leave the computer on overnight to be sure it is receiving the updates. In the morning, you will need to have your child restart the computer prior to Morning Meeting.
For Technology Help, Please Call: 1-833-921-3277
Health Metrics: Current Decision-Making Process for In-Person Instruction
- For a group to BEGINin-person instruction:
- The established thresholds for the group must be met for BOTHthe number of cases per 100,000 persons and the percent positivity for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.
- For a group to REMAINin in-person instruction:
- The number of cases per 100,000 persons orthe percent positivity may not exceed the established threshold for the for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.
- For a group to returnto virtual learning:
- The number of cases per 100,000 persons or the percent positivity exceeds the established threshold for the group for seven (7) consecutive calendar days.
To start in person learning BOTH metrics must be below the individual Group thresholds. For group 5, the percent of positive COVID tests (PRC) must be less than 8% over the last 7 days with the 11/16/20 value at 7.4% (below the Group 5 threshold). The other metric is the total number of positive cases/100,000 Fairfax County residents as provided by the Virginia Department of Health COVID 19 data over the last 14 days. For group 5, the value must be equal to or under 200 per 100,000 to start in-person learning with the 11/16/20 value at 227 positives/100,000 (over the Group 5 threshold). The pause was initiated because both metrics were not below the Group 5 thresholds. Current health metrics in our region have now reached a threshold where Group 4 students returned to all virtual instruction beginning Monday, November 23.
Health conditions may require a pause in the future and FCPS is continuing to follow current health conditions. FCPS will communicate with cohort group families about the potential future change in person to virtual learning and from virtual back to in person learning.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) provides the new COVID-19 numbers before noon each day and once the latest information is released, FCPS will move as quickly as possible to inform impacted families. Information on health metrics and how they impact FCPS operations is updated daily on our website. FCPS is also tweeting out the daily numbers on our FCPS Twitter account
Free Testing for COVID-19 at the South County Government Center:
Return to School Family Resource Guide
A Family Resource Guide has been created to help prepare families and students to return to in-person learning and to address frequently asked questions. The Resource Guide is available online and can be translated into multiple languages: Family Guide to Return to School
High School Graduation updates
Here is the 2021 High School Graduation schedule. We will be adding center program and alternative program promotion and graduations plans in the near future. Please be aware that we are working with the two major venues (Eagle Bank Arena and Constitution Hall) regarding plans as related to the pandemic. Currently both venues are making plans related to cleaning and logistics. It is anticipated that there may be limitations regarding attendance that range from 50% of capacity to full capacity. We will provide additional updates as more details become available.
SAT and ACT Testing
FCPS is aware that families of high school students, especially our rising seniors, are concerned about access to ACT and SAT testing in FCPS and surrounding areas. We offered SAT testing at several FCPS high schools in August and worked with the College Board to offer FCPS seniors an opportunity to take the SAT at their schools on September 23, through the SAT School Day testing program.
Any additional changes for weekend testing sites for the ACT or SAT in FCPS throughout the 2020-21 school year will depend on health conditions along with health and safety guidelines. Changes will be communicated directly to registered students by ACT or by the College Board for the SAT.
Free online test preparation is available at the following links: Khan Academy Official SAT Practice and ACT Academy. We encourage our rising seniors to carefully review the admissions criterion for the colleges on their lists, as many colleges are adjusting requirements for ACT or SAT. School counselors and career center specialists will be available in mid-August to discuss postsecondary planning with students and their families.
VHSL high school sports updates
The changes made by Governor Northam allow the VHSL Championship + 1 schedule to begin playing in December as scheduled. The amended Executive Order did not change the number of attendees permitted at a sporting event, which cannot exceed the lesser of these two numbers: 50% of the occupancy load or 250 individuals. For sports played on a field, attendees are limited to 250 individuals per field.
The modifications outlined in “Guidelines for Return to Participation” are meant to maximize safety. Recommendations include cleaning and disinfecting; mask protocols; transportation; and how to run activities safely for individual sports and activities. Teams conducting out-of-season workouts will continue to abide by Phase 3 Guidelines as established by the VHSL and the Virginia Department of Health.
The Office for Children- A Childcare Resource
The Office for Children (OFC) provides information about childcare programs serving children from birth through school-age and supports families in choosing quality care in Fairfax County. Their online resource allows you to search by zip code, elementary school and languages spoken in the center. For information on school aged childcare call 703 449-8989 or OFCSACCInfo@fairfaxcounty.gov. They are available to answer your questions at 703 324-8000 or officeforchildren@fairfaxcounty.gov in English and Spanish.
Community Use Updates
Beginning 10/30/20, FCPS will permit activities sponsored by PTA, PTO, PTSA, and Booster Clubs to occur outdoors, on school grounds. This initial phase-in of community use does not include other school vendors. Principals have received this information and will be sharing with their PTA/PTO/ PTSA presidents. The Student Activities Office will be sharing the guidance with Booster presidents. We look forward to supporting our students and schools as they gather safely for school activities!
Community Use Guidelines for PTA PTO PTSA and Boosters
CDC Guidelines
Information for Prospective Substitute Teachers
In response to the state of Virginia’s mandated closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Human Resources, Office of Substitute Employment, is holding virtual orientation sessions until further notice.
Given the unique nature of the closures related to COVID-19, Fairfax County Public Schools have made the following adjustments:
- To become a substitute teacher, a minimum of 30 college credits is required. An exception may be provided for applicants who do not have a minimum of 30 college credits but are enrolled in an approved teacher education preparatory program or participated in a teacher introduction course in high school.
- FCPS will suspend, for this school year, its requirement that substitutes sub a minimum of ten days per school year in order to remain active.
The substitute hiring team will provide information around the benefits of substituting, application and procedural instructions, as well as information on technology resources. Information sessions are held weekly on Fridays, are informal, and are not required. You do not have to participate in an information session to sub this school year. Register online for an information session.
Family Holiday Travel Plans
We encourage you to follow the Virginia Department of Health travel guidance around any travel quarantine requirements for people arriving in the Commonwealth of Virginia from other U.S. or international locations. The CDC has also put out these guidelines to celebrate Thanksgiving safely.
Did You Know…Sandra M. Chafouleas, Ph.D. from Psychology Today writes “As a very unfamiliar holiday season approaches, we can still find ways to bring familiarity and predictability — and the sense of comfort that goes with that — with some adaptations to our family traditions.” Here is the full article that includes ways to adapt to this holiday season
The March Goes On” Now Offering Virtual Programming
An Invitation and Update from 19: The Musical
Although 2020 has been a challenging year, the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage was fittingly highlighted by a monumental accomplishment; the election of the first female Vice President in American history. Regardless of your political affiliation, the election of Kamala Harris, who marked the occasion by wearing an all-white tribute to the suffragists, is a remarkable achievement in the march toward equality and representation for women and people of color in the United States. Since the lockdown began, 19: The Musical creators and actors have been invited to appear in multiple virtual events honoring the centennial of suffrage. The team from 19 showcased their artistry, knowledge and experiences for a group of diverse hosts, including PBS Books, The National Archives Foundation and Morgan Stanley. During our time away from the stage, we have also begun the process of developing exciting academic virtual content. The goal here is that these 19: The Musical education components can be used in school settings to teach students about the important history of the suffragist movement. This will be accomplished through a mix of video, interviews and interactive conversations with the creators and performers of 19: The Musical—and of course, good old-fashioned reading of historical texts.
19: The Musical is currently looking for partners in the education space and invite anyone with interest to contact 19: The Musical directly.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© 2020 Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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